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The DADDYING blog provides commentary, personal narratives, reviews, research & other creative expressions from a diverse group of colleagues, guest writers, and experts to raise awareness and promote the benefits of lifelong Dad involvement.
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Welcome Home to Being A Dad
U.S. Marine Corps veteran and podcaster Ben Killoy finally found his comfort zone as a dad by asking himself one simple question.
Allan Shedlin
Jun 30, 2021
At 80 I'm Grateful for My Childlike State of Mind
For his 80th birthday, DCG Founder Allan Shedlin shares how he's embraced his inner child and "old man," while giving both their due.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 28, 2021
The Many Benefits of Exuberant Lifelong Daddying
As a milestone birthday approaches, DADvocacy Consulting Group Founder Allan Shedlin reflects on a lifetime of daddying and granddaddying.
Allan Shedlin
Apr 21, 2021
Granddaddying Wisdom: Let Nature Be Your Teacher
I realize when I make a donation to The Nature Conservancy, I’m not giving anything of yours away. On the contrary, I’m investing for you...
Allan Shedlin
Mar 24, 2021
A Long Year of Reflection and Daddy Blogging
Just as daddying doesn’t take place in a vacuum, but within multiple contexts and social systems, so it has been with our Daddying blog.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 17, 2021
First and Foremost It’s About the Children
DADvocacy can rightly be viewed as encouraging enhanced partnerships between fathers and mothers.
Allan Shedlin
Mar 4, 2021
It's The Little Things They Will Remember
...engaging my children in making fresh pasta or brewing a cup of espresso, is a lesson in the joy of those simple things.
Allan Shedlin
Feb 18, 2021
How To Cope With A Race That Never Ends
We avoid the runner’s pitfall of incessantly asking “How much more is left?” Instead, we focus on our journey toward the finish...
Allan Shedlin
Feb 4, 2021
Saying Goodbye to The House Where I Grew Up
When people ask me where I grew up, I usually say “Springfield, Virginia,” but that’s not entirely true.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 28, 2021
The Vital Importance of A President's and Daddy's First 100 Days
The presidency, like daddying, does not take place in a vacuum – both occur within a dynamic social system.
Allan Shedlin
Jan 21, 2021
Was 2020 Real or Just Virtual?
I’m trying mightily to embrace the optimism that usually marks a new year and the traditional hopefulness it entails
Allan Shedlin
Jan 6, 2021
May 2020 Silver Linings Energize Daddying Hope for 2021
For our final Daddying blog of the year, we offered each member of our DADvisory Team an opportunity and invitation.
Allan Shedlin
Dec 31, 2020
Have Yourself A Memorable Little Christmas
by Scott Beller, Daddying Editor and Soon-To-Be Retired Santa Claus I love the process of making our family's photo cards each holiday...
Allan Shedlin
Dec 24, 2020
Lessons From 2020: 192 Dads and Granddads Can’t Be Wrong
The end of each year is traditionally a time for us to reflect on the year just passed and, for many, to make resolutions for the year ahead
Allan Shedlin
Dec 17, 2020
The Squirrel in the Coal Mine
by Allan Shedlin Founder, DADvocacy Consulting Group The following was written 11/4/2020, mere hours after Election Day 2020 closed and...
Allan Shedlin
Nov 5, 2020
Our COVIDious Crescendo
My basically-optimistic nature continues to prevail and believe that we are fitfully inching toward a decrescendo, a COVID convalescence...
Allan Shedlin
Oct 14, 2020
How CAMPAIGNful Politics Impact Us and Our Children
After watching the first un-presidential debate, I wondered if it was acceptable fare for kids.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 7, 2020
The Superpower of Being Present
Think of the children in your life. Their superpower is living in the moment. COVID-19 implores us to be more like our children.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 30, 2020
She Made Me A Dad and Gave Me Confidence
I was 38 when my daughter Morgan was born. Even though I had decades of preparation, nothing had quite prepared me for the responsibility.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 17, 2020
Nurturing the New End-of-Summer Butterflies
When the cocoon of childhood summers past opened into a more predictable fall, the emergent butterfly was able to unfurl its new wings & fly
Allan Shedlin
Sep 2, 2020
Getting the Banned Back Together
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller kicks off the holiday season by presenting the 6th annual Books to Read with Your Kids Holiday Gift Guide & FREE Book Giveaway!
Allan Shedlin
5 days ago
What the Heck is Neotenic Daddying?
In honor of Mickey Mouse's birthday, Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) Founder Allan Shedlin defines "neotenic daddying" and explains how Dads can best apply the idea to their everyday parenting.
Allan Shedlin
Nov 18
The Pinnacle of Daddying
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin opens the holiday season reflecting on fatherhood and how the lifelong process of daddying has been as nurturing for him as it has for his children.
Allan Shedlin
Nov 12
Farewell to A Caring, Thoughtful, Giving Dad, Granddad, and Writer
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller remembers his first boss, longtime friend, and award-winning writer J. Boyce Gleason.
Allan Shedlin
Nov 6
At School Our Kids Are Now Forced to Learn the Difference Between Spooky and Truly Scary
Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller writes about the horrific state of our country and classrooms in 2025 and how this Halloween, our kids have been forced to learn the difference between Halloween frights and real monsters.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 31
Setting Sail – A Father's Journey Reimagined
Guest poetry by 21st Century Dads founder David Hirsch intended to help comfort other parents caring for their own special needs children.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 22
D3F Makes an Impact Because The Importance of Daddying Is Universal
Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin explains one of the many behind-the-scenes benefits of managing a festival with such universal appeal: forging diverse and lasting friendships.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 16
Heroes Fight Book Bans for Their Kids' Freedom to Read and Think for Themselves
Daddying blog editor Scott Beller provides a Banned Books Week reminder that the freedom to read fight continues and reading with our kids helps open their minds and ours.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 8
A Poem For Our Grandchildren During Ugly Times
Granddad, poet, and literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller shares an original poem for his grandchildren and yours that reflects these difficult times.
Allan Shedlin
Oct 1
When Our Babies Become Adults, Daddying Work Persists
Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller debunks the myth that dads and their children can age out of blogging relevance.
Allan Shedlin
Sep 24
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